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Never Forgotten: D.C. National Guard Remembers September 11
Sept. 9, 2026 - Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, delivers a command message from the D.C. Armory marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist...
Your Voice, Our Force: DEOCS Command Message
Sept. 8, 2026 - Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, provides a command message encouraging every Capital Guardian to participate in the 2026 Defense Organizational...
Ten Minutes Can Make a Difference: Participate in the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS)
The District of Columbia National Guard's Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) annual fielding window is approaching. The DEOCS is a key tool for assessing unit morale, identifying risk factors, and guiding prevention efforts. This critical survey allows every member of our organization to provide confidential feedback on our command climate, trust in leadership, cohesion, and unit readiness. Results support the development of evidence-based action plans to improve workplace culture and mission effectiveness. And strong participation provides reliable data to help us address issues before they become barriers to readiness. (U.S. Army National Guard graphic by Ayan Sheikh)
Sept. 3, 2026 - Beginning Sept. 8, 2026, the D.C. National Guard's annual Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) fielding window will open, giving every Capital Guardian an opportunity to speak candidly about the environment in which...
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National Guard News
Retired Texas Air National Guard Pilot Recalls Protecting Air Force One on 9/11
Air Force Lt. Col. Rolando Aguilar, Fairchild RC-26 Metroliner program manager for the 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Texas National Guard, participates in an interview during a 9/11 media-day event at Pentagon crash site Aug. 23, in Arlington, Va. Aguilar was one of several Guard members who gave interviews about their involvement with the 9/11 attacks.
Sept. 11, 2026 - ARLINGTON, Va. — Retired Air Force Col. Rolando Aguilar, a former Texas Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, remembers the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 — a day off that turned into a scramble to intercept an inbound...
Texas Air National Guard Strengthens Egypt Partnership at Airshow
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard, exchange unit patches with a member of the Indian Air Force Helicopter Display Team on the flight line during the Egypt International Airshow at El Alamein International Airport, Egypt, Sept. 9 2026. EIAS 2026 brings together aviation defense partners to foster cross-cultural military relationships and strengthen regional security cooperation across North Africa and the Middle East. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Tia Hambrick.
Sept. 11, 2026 - AL ALAMEIN, Egypt — U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the Texas Air National Guard, alongside forces from U.S. Air Forces Central, joined international military leaders, civil aviation authorities and defense representatives...
Nebraska Guard Strengthens Disaster Response Readiness
Airmen assigned to the 155th Communications Squadron adjust VHF and UHF radio antennas during a disaster response exercise in Yutan, Nebraska, Sept. 2, 2026. The antennas support a cross-band communications system that allows radios from different teams and responding agencies to communicate with one another, helping establish an interoperable communications network during large-scale emergency response operations. Photo by Master Sgt. Jessica Kind.
Sept. 10, 2026 - YUTAN, Neb. – About 250 Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen gathered at the Atlas Readiness Center Sept. 1-3 for an annual joint field training exercise designed to strengthen the Guard’s ability to respond to...
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The District came together to remember its own—and a day that forever changed our city, our nation and our mission. Twenty-five years later, we carry their memory forward through our enduring commitment to stand ready, serve our neighbors and protect the nation’s capital. https://t.co/s7ZRHMVk79
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National perspective. Local mission. “We’re everywhere…our role is to provide support.” Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II joined Bloomberg’s Balance of Power to discuss security in the nation’s capital—25 years after the September 11 terrorist attacks: https://t.co/W6e0rcdzur https://t.co/NAaiF4ZouW
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Vigilance is more than watching — it’s knowing what to look for, recognizing when something isn’t right and being prepared to respond. Every patrol. Every interaction. Every shift. https://t.co/27x2TI0Yjj
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Enhancing Mission Readiness Through realistic training and dedicated teamwork, Soldiers continue sharpening the capabilities needed to enhance mission readiness and respond whenever duty calls. #AlwaysReady https://t.co/sDfHAKtLLY
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The D.C. National Guard’s 33rd WMD-CST gathered for a Hail and Farewell and Dining-Out, recognizing teammates who are moving on, marking career milestones and celebrating the people behind the mission. https://t.co/7eQymrhMlS
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Supporting #DCSafe means being prepared for more than what the mission demands today—it means staying ready for whatever the nation may demand tomorrow. @AlabamaNG https://t.co/8MaAGNEGpx
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“I have a helicopter, I have a crew and a full bag of gas. What can I do to help?” As smoke rose from the Pentagon and our nation struggled to comprehend the attacks of 9/11, members of the District of Columbia National Guard answered the call: https://t.co/H4JCD2la7L https://t.co/206gtQGrjM
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Meaningful engagement with the community reinforces trust, strengthens partnerships, and advances our shared commitment to public safety. By showing up, listening, and working together, we build more than connections—we build confidence in one another and in the mission we share. https://t.co/rS0nzr3CTb
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RT @SecretService: Tonight is your last chance to sign up for tomorrow's virtual recruiting session! Join Secret Service Special Agents, P…
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This #LaborDay, remember: Every day is progress. 🇺🇸 @GeorgiaGuard Sgt. Tyler Crosby, a combat medic assigned to Joint Task Force-DC, reflects on his experience supporting #DCSafe—and the purpose behind the work. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/U9u7uAnCQS
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🤼‍♂️Coed wrestlers ages 14–21 from across the DMV took to the mat, testing their skill, discipline, and competitive spirit at the 2026 DCNG Summer Slam. More than a wrestling tournament, the event highlights the Guard's support to the next generation of athletes! @DCNationalGuard https://t.co/Xm3WP1LCOZ
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Different agencies. One shared commitment to the nation’s capital. Built on fidelity, bravery and integrity — and united by a shared commitment to be here, ready to help when it matters most. @USNationalGuard @GeorgiaGuard https://t.co/V5Nt55yM7b
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20 kilometers. 25 pounds. One challenge. Members of the District of Columbia National Guard and Joint Task Force-District of Columbia put their endurance to the test during the Danish Flyver Ruck March, joining thousands of participants around the world. @DCNationalGuard https://t.co/Wxq9OkDmbL
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Presence, partnership and public safety! @nationalguardMS https://t.co/DiL8ckROct
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RT @SecretService: Only a few days left to sign up for our September 8 virtual recruiting session! Join Secret Service Special Agents, Pol…
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RT @SecretService: Ride along with the Secret Service Police Patrol Unit Division as they patrol and protect the foreign embassies and dipl…
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Move it. Maintain it. Keep the mission moving. Behind every mission is a logistics team making sure the right people, equipment and resources get to the right place at the right time. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/P1Ak4oMkgZ
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🚨DEOCS is more than a survey. Your feedback gives leaders a clearer picture of what's happening across our force — from trust in leadership and morale to fairness, respect and cohesion! ⏱️ It takes about 10 minutes: https://t.co/OUB9kJk7qR https://t.co/sFyQuZ3255
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Our Army Aviation Battalion teamed up with U.S. Green Berets from 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) for raid training at Fort Bragg. Exercises like these build readiness by putting soldiers in realistic, high-pressure situations before they face them in an actual mission. https://t.co/WiSATE0ZYR
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From the Nation’s Capital to Arkansas, thank you for answering the call @arkansasguard!! More than 70 soldiers with the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade are back in Arkansas after supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. #AlwaysReady #AlwaysThere https://t.co/JVU1ivcdpr
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Commanding General
                                        
Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II
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